In my yard, I have a multitude of objects that have apparently become high-demand real estate for my local lizards. In addition to these tiny residents, I have a large Sulcata tortoise named Cantata, who seems to enjoy rearranging the neighborhood. She knocks things about, tips them over, walks over them, and moves them to entirely different sections of the yard.
Consequently, I often find myself on “patrol,” returning objects to their upright positions and my desired locations. I like to decorate my backyard with rusted metal art that represents my many interests. One such piece—a vulture about a foot tall with overlapping metal feathers—sits at the end of the brick patio.
The Vertical Tenant
The vulture is a favorite target of Cantata. Recently, as I picked up the metal bird to set her back on her feet, a large Desert Spiny lizard (Sceloporus magister) scurried upward into the sculpture. Apparently, the lizard had moved in while the vulture was toppled on its side.
I fully expected the lizard to vacate once its home became vertical, but it had other plans. It didn’t fall out or drop to the ground; it simply hung on! Even after I lingered to take photos, the lizard continued to maintain its precarious perch. It was not going to give up its home just because the world had turned ninety degrees.
The Chock-Block Hitchhiker
A little later that day, I was hooking up my horse trailer to my truck. After successfully placing the ball under the hitch and attaching the necessary chains and cables, I proceeded to remove the wheel chocks.
There, clinging to one of the chocks, was a Western Whiptail (Aspidoscelis tigris). This lizard had clearly selected its den unwisely, but it was committed. Once again, I expected the lizard to depart for a more stable location. Nope! It decided to stay with its chosen home, refusing to leave even as it was picked up and moved out of the way of the soon-to-be-moving tires.
Finding a Place to Call Home
I guess finding a desirable living location is trickier for a reptile than I thought. Once a prime spot is found, these lizards aren’t going to leave—even if their domicile flies through the air or suddenly becomes a skyscraper!
In the wild, competition for the best hiding spots is fierce. Whether it’s a rusted metal vulture or a plastic wheel chock, a good home is worth holding onto.
Want to learn more about the fascinating behaviors of our desert neighbors? Check out “Don’t Make Me Rattle” and other books in the “Don’t” series here!